Puberulent or glabrate perennial herb. Main stems ± creeping, almost woody at base, often dark, with the few to many branches spreading or sometimes erect. Lf pairs distant; petioles 0.2–1–(2) cm long, very slender, dark. Lamina 3–10–(13) × 2–10–(16) mm, ovate to suborbicular or ± reniform, membranous, entire or 3–5-toothed or lobed, glabrous or glabrate with hairs mainly on veins below, dotted with small glands and often light purplish below; base rounded to subcordate, occasionally cordate. Fls single in upper lf axils; pedicels 1–3 mm long, < petioles. Bracts minute, subulate. Calyx 2.5–3 mm long, ± puberulent; scale c. 1.5 mm long at anthesis, strongly accrescent. Corolla 6–11 mm long to apex of lower lip, white, hairy; tube 4–6 mm long, straight, ampliate; lower lip > upper lip, with middle lobe very broad; upper lip deeply lobed, the lobes ± rounded. Filaments hairy, at least in lower part, the longer pair > style. Nutlets 1–1.3 mm long, strongly granular.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Flowering: Dec.–Feb.